No water tariff hike planned for next six months, says Minister

By The Pulseline News Desk

Sri Lankan households and businesses are unlikely to face an increase in water bills during the second half of the year, with the government indicating that stable operating costs have removed the immediate need for a tariff revision.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe has said there would be no adjustment to water tariffs over the next six months, citing lower-than-expected expenditure on water treatment during the first half of the year.

According to the minister, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) did not incur substantial costs for water purification during the first six months of the year, easing pressure on the utility’s operating expenses.

“As a result, there is no necessity to increase water tariffs,” he has said.

The announcement comes as the government continues to balance cost-reflective pricing policies with concerns over the rising cost of living. Utility tariffs, including electricity, water, and fuel, have come under increased scrutiny in recent years as Sri Lanka implemented economic reforms aimed at improving the financial sustainability of state-owned enterprises.

While electricity tariffs have undergone several revisions in line with changes in generation costs and fuel prices, water tariffs have remained comparatively stable. The latest assurance suggests consumers will be spared another increase at a time when inflation has begun to edge higher and household budgets remain under pressure.

For the NWSDB, operating costs are influenced by several factors, including the cost of chemicals used in water treatment, electricity consumption, and maintenance of supply infrastructure. The minister has indicated that lower treatment costs during the first half of the year had helped keep overall expenditure under control.

Although the government has ruled out a tariff increase for the next six months, future revisions are likely to depend on changes in operating costs, inflation, energy prices, and the financial position of the water utility.